Sonic Wiki Zone

Know something we don't about Sonic? Don't hesitate in signing up today! It's fast, free, and easy, and you will get a wealth of new abilities, and it also hides your IP address from public view. We are in need of content, and everyone has something to contribute!

If you have an account, please log in.

READ MORE

Sonic Wiki Zone
Register
Advertisement
Sonic Wiki Zone

The Air Boost,[1][2] also known as the Aerial Boost, is a move that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is an airborne variation of the Boost that is used to increase the user's speed in midair and fly immense distances.

Description[]

Dash To Win!

Description of how to use the Air Boost, from the Xbox 360 version of Sonic Unleashed.

When performing the Air Boost, the user surrounds themselves in a fiery energy shield while in midair and propels themselves forward at speeds beyond the sound barrier,[3] thus turning the user into a highly destructive midair projectile. The color of the energy field depends on the user; for example, Sonic's is (usually) blue, while Shadow's is yellow. This moves not only allows its user to plow through midair enemies but also lets them move great distances through midair in pseudo-flight.[4]

In gameplay, the Air Boost is an offensive maneuver that can be used to both attack enemies and traverse the environment, the latter allowing the player to cross gaps or reach midair objects. However, the user does not immediately stop moving when landing from an Air Boost, which brings the player at risk of moving into unwanted areas, like hazardous obstacles or bottomless pits. Additionally, the player can only perform the Air Boost once for every ascension into midair, and only if there is energy in the Boost Gauge to power it. The length of time the Air Boost can be maintained on the air is dependent on the game.

Game appearances[]

Sonic Unleashed []

Dolphin 2015-12-22 18-25-30-339

Sonic using the Air Boost to fly to Dark Gaia's eyes, from the Wii/PlayStation 2 version of Sonic Unleashed.

The Air Boost's first appearance was in both versions of Sonic Unleashed. In this game, it is one of Sonic the Hedgehog's techniques.

In the Wii/PlayStation 2 version, the player can perform the move at any time, while in the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version, the player must have obtained the Air Boost Shoes before being able to use it. Once the player can perform the Air Boost in the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version, the move overrides Sonic's ability to perform the Jump Dash until the Ring Energy Gauge is empty. In gameplay, the Air Boost's range is very long, and using it on the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version creates a brief distortion (although it can only be used in small bursts).

To use the Air Boost in gameplay, the player has to press the following buttons in midair while there is energy in the Boost Gauge/Ring Energy Gauge:

PS2 Wii PS3 Xbox 360
Wii
Remote
Classic
Controller
GameCube
controller
Circle Shake Wii Remote Wii-classic x button Gamecube Y Button Square XboxX

Sonic Colors[]

In the Wii version and Nintendo DS version of Sonic Colors, and the remaster Sonic Colors: Ultimate, the Air Boost is used by Sonic the Hedgehog (as well as the Virtual Hedgehog and the Mii in the Wii version). When performing the Air Boost in this game, the user becomes surrounded by a multicolored aura.

In gameplay, the Air Boost retains its range from Sonic Unleashed. In the Wii version, the Air Boost can be used continuously for a period of time, although it will eventually wear out if the playable character does not touch the ground soon enough. This cannot happen in the Nintendo DS version.

To use the Air Boost in gameplay, the player has to press or hold (to maintain the Air Boost more in the air) the following buttons when in midair while there is energy in the Wisp/Boost Gauge:

Wii DS Xbox One PS4 Switch PC
Wii Remote
(sideways)
Wii Remote
& Nunchuk
Classic
Controller
GameCube
controller
Button1 WiiB Wii-classic b button SNNBGAMECUBEDISCO Snnwiidsybuttondisco

Sonic Generations[]

SonicGenerations 2015-01-29 22-19-52-204

Sonic using the Air Boost, from the console/PC version of Sonic Generations.

In the console/PC version and Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, the Air Boost is one of Modern Sonic's maneuvers. On the console/PC version of the game, the Air Boost has the same appearance and distortion effect it had in Sonic Unleashed, but its range is shorter and it is less controllable. It can also only be used in small bursts. To use it in gameplay, the player must press Square/XboxX in midair while there is energy in the Boost Gauge, though it depletes approximately 20% of the Boost Gauge when triggered. Modern Super Sonic can use the Air Boost without depleting the Boost Gauge, though it will increase his innate Ring consumption mechanic.

In the Nintendo 3DS version of Sonic Generations, the Air Boost visually looks like the game's version of the Boost and will create a small distortion effect when used. To perform it in gameplay, the player must press ButtonIcon-3DS-Y while in midair while there is energy in the Boost Gauge. Unlike its console/PC counterpart, however, the Air Boost does not automatically deplete the Boost Gauge by 20% when used. In addition, its range can be extended for as long as ButtonIcon-3DS-Y is held. This makes it possible to crush enemies in the way of Sonic while he is using the move until he lands on the ground. Additionally, he can continue using it as the normal Boost upon landing.

In the game's storyline, Modern Sonic used this technique to catch the red Chaos Emerald in midair, which left Classic Sonic thoroughly impressed. At the end of the game, Classic Sonic wanted to show his counterpart that he had learned the Air Boost. Though he could not fully pull it off, Modern Sonic still praised him and promised he would only get better.

Sonic Forces[]

In Sonic Forces, the Air Boost is primarily used by Sonic the Hedgehog. In the Episode Shadow DLC, the Air Boost is used by Shadow the Hedgehog as well. When performing the Air Boost in this game, the user leaves an energy trail behind them.

In gameplay, the Air Boost retains its distortion effect while in use, but the move's range and functionality are changed considerably. When the player triggers the Air Boost, Sonic/Shadow will charge ahead while ascending a little above their jump's altitude at first then start descending toward the ground. In this game, they can maintain the Air Boost until they touch the ground, and continue using it there as the Boost. To perform the Air Boost in gameplay, the player must press Switch y/Square/X button while in midair while there is energy in the Boost Gauge.

Sonic Frontiers[]

In Sonic Frontiers, this technique is referred to as Aerial Boost and makes an appearance as one of Sonic's moves. When performing the Aerial Boost, it creates distortion around Sonic briefly, then he keeps his limbs stretched out as he dashes a little upward before descending to the ground, all without leaving a colored trail behind him.[5] To perform the Air Boost, the player has to press Xbox RT2-1 while in the mid-air.

When the player collects the maximum amount of Rings indicated on the HUD, Sonic will activate the Power Boost which is an enhanced version of the Boost. Activating the aforementioned move will also enhance the Aerial Boost, and give Sonic a blue-colored electrified tail in his wake. However, if the Ring count is reduced, Sonic will revert back to using his normal Aerial Boost.

If Sonic is underwater, the Aerial Boost will start with Sonic dashing a slight bit upwards, reaching his top non-boosting speed before zooming downward until he reaches the seafloor at a much higher speed for the move's duration, and much like the Boost, any effects granted by the Power Boost is canceled out and the Boost Gauge drains much faster until Sonic is out of the water.

Trivia[]

Air Boost Sonic 06

Sonic surrounded by a midair aura, from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).

  • In the opening scene of the Sonic Episode in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), Sonic is seen with a midair aura around him when he was fighting Eggman's robots. It is unknown if this is the Air Boost or just a vapor cone.
  • If the player uses Super Sonic in the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, then turns back in the direction they came from and performs the Air Boost, it will make Super Sonic dash in the air, but forward on the path instead of backward.
  • In the Wii version of Sonic Colors, it is possible to get an Item Box without touching it by Air Boosting at the platform it is floating on.
  • In Sonic Frontiers, Sonic Colors: Ultimate, and the Wii version of Sonic Colors, the Air Boost gives a slight height boost (although in the latter two games the height boost only occurs if the Boost Gauge is empty)

Gallery[]

Sprites[]

Screenshots[]

Gallery

References[]

  1. Sonic Colors (Wii) United States instruction booklet, pg. 10.
  2. Sonic Generations (Xbox 360) European instruction booklet, pg. 8.
  3. Sonic Unleashed (Xbox 360) United States instruction booklet, pg. 5.
  4. Sonic Team (19 December 2008). Sonic Unleashed. PlayStation 2. Sega. Area/Level: Dark Gaia.
  5. Sonic Frontiers: World Premiere Gameplay | IGN First. IGN. YouTube (1 June 2022). Retrieved on 1 June 2022.
Navigation templates to Air Boost



Main article | Script | Credits | Glitches | Beta elements | Gallery

Main article · Script · Credits · Glitches · Beta elements · Gallery · Re-releases (Ultimate)

Main article | Script | Credits | Gallery

Main article · Script · Staff · Glitches · Beta elements · Gallery · Re-releases (Sonic X Shadow)

Main article | Script | Staff | Beta elements | Gallery


Advertisement